Aboriginal green teams at work on the Hawkesbury-Nepean

16 June 2009, 2:01pm

Muru Mittigar's Robert Leslie and Amy Plunkett-Cole from the HNCMA (foreground) with green team members

Two local Aboriginal Green Teams have begun work on removing weed infestations along 16 kilometres of the Hawkesbury-Nepean between Mulgoa and Windsor.

The Hawkesbury-Nepean Catchment Management Authority (HNCMA) is coordinating and funding the $167,000 project that will continue over the next 12 months.

Paul Bennett Acting Landscape Coordinator of the HNCMA, said the project will provide employment and training for 18 part-time Aboriginal field staff.

"We are keen to support Indigenous employment in managing natural resources and see this project as helping to build the experience of these local Green Teams," said Mr Bennett.

Penrith-based Muru Mittigar and Liverpool-based Gandangarra Employment and Training Services were awarded the contracts earlier this year.

"The project will remove key weedy vines that are smothering native vegetation along the riverbanks. Many native trees are completely shrouded by these weeds so that they are slowly dying," said Mr Bennett.

"The Aboriginal Green Teams will target Balloon Vine, Madeira Vine and Morning Glory on the main branch of the river and Cats Claw Creeper on Mulgoa Creek."

Work will be carried out at 12 sites along the river including Yellomundee National Park, Shaws Island, Hawkesbury and Penrith Council reserves, Penrith Lakes, Boral, and three properties along Mulgoa Creek.

"To date the two teams have treated these weeds on nine kilometres of riverbank, but as with all weed control work, follow-up and maintenance by the teams will be critical to the success of the project," said Mr Bennett.

Merle Williams, member of the Aboriginal Advisory Committee advising the HNCMA, said the project is an excellent way to build the skills, knowledge and experience of the Aboriginal Green teams.

"Some of the project's participants will undertake training in the TAFE certificate Natural Area Restoration and which will help build up a pool of expertise in these Aboriginal Green Teams for future natural resource management works in the region.

"In the coming years there is great potential for local Aboriginal employment in natural resource projects in the catchment," said Ms Williams.

Media contact: Peter O'Malley 0414 611 792